Major thatch fire in Durley

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Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service would like to urge owners of thatched properties to check and maintain the safety of their chimneys to try and minimise events. The majority of fires at thatched properties are started by sparks or heat transfer. It is crucially important that chimneys and flues are checked regularly by verified professionals. This will hopefully help in reducing these sorts of incidents.

– Area manager Andy Bowers, Hampshire Fire and Rescue

The cause of the fire is not yet known crews are still tackling the blaze, more details to follow.

Fire crews are currently attending a major thatch fire in Durley. The thatch property’s roof is now 100% on fire, salvage operations are currently underway. Specialist equipment currently in use consists of twelve pumps and two water carriers.

A special equipment unit and a command unit are also at the scene together with a specialist multi roll vehicle from Havant.

Firefighters scale the roof of the cottage to put out the flames

Area manager Andy Bowers who is currently at the incident said: “Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service would like to urge owners of thatched properties to check and maintain the safety of their chimneys to try and minimise events.

The majority of fires at thatched properties are started by sparks or heat transfer. It is crucially important that chimneys and flues are checked regularly by verified professionals. This will hopefully help in reducing these sorts of incidents.”